b a d b o y z v o l k s w a g e n

VOLKSWAGEN MK4 JETTA 1.8T

Story by Noor Abrahams

Pictures by Bernie Chacon

The car you see is owned by a female, yes, that's right you read it right the first time round! Her name is Esther Shin and is known on VWVortex as Oettinger18T. A perfect name for the owner of the Jetta Mk4 1.8T with full Oettinger-bodykit and wheels. Ok, lets' start with the basics. The car is a 2001 Jetta Mk4 1.8T which is quite cool considering that it does stand out wherever you go. But Esther wasn't too happy with the standard looks. Lucky for her, the guy she's dating also is a VW nut and owns a heavily modified Golf. Together they decided that the Oettinger bodykit was just perfect for the Jetta Mk4. The entire kit was purchased which included front bumper spoiler, side skirts, sports grille, sport mirrors, rear spoiler and rear wing. However, on her way to Las Vegas last year, the rear wing kind of just blew off and since hasn't been re-attached. I actually think the car looks better without it! I actually wonder if Esther wasn't redlining the car at top-speed when the rear wing decided to just fly off the rear of the car, hehe. What

is also immediately shocking is the low stance of the car. It actually seems like the front bumper is ready to swallow you whole with those massive air vents. Hella red/clear tail lights were purchased replacing the stock items and the car was finished off with an MHW short antenna for the roof. The suspension geometry was enhanced with the replacement of the stock units for Weitec TX coil-overs which offers adjustable dampening. Wheels obviously had to be perfect so nothing other than Oettinger RE 18x8.5J wheels were purchased wrapped in 225/40/18 Toyo T1-S tires which should offer a soft smooth ride. The brake system was also upgraded with the help of Autotech cross-drilled and slotted rotors for the front with only cross-drilled ones for the rear. Mintex red box pads were used to bring the car to a standstill as fast as possible in situations which required it. Well, I am not saying when these situations arise, but they from do time to time! The engine was also upgraded with the help of a Neuspeed 1.2

bar chip, K&N air filter and intake. The final touch was by color-coding the valve cover to match the bodywork! Now how is that for attention to detail! The entire engine upgrade was completed with a REMUS exhaust system finished off by twin-chrome tail pieces. The interior wasn't left alone either and received a major make-over in the form of custom two-tone leather in grey and black with matching headliner, ABT Sportsline aluminium pedals, ABT Sportsline aluminium door pins and finally an ABT Sportsline gear knob. All in all, it is a masterpiece if ever I couldn't have said it any better. The last touch was added by fitting KAMEI eye brows to the headlights and unfortunately these pictures were taken before the eye brows were fitted. The car still remains one of the best Jetta Mk4's in the world! Now, if only Esther was single, I'd be sending her some pics of a veedub I am yet to own....

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